Konoha was exceptionally lively today.
The entire village was filled with a joyful atmosphere, and the streets were bustling with people. Parents and children gathered everywhere, their faces brimming with excitement and anticipation.
All because the Ninja Academy was about to begin its new academic year.
Under normal circumstances, the opening of the Ninja Academy would hardly have caused such a stir. However, this year's intake was different from all those that had come before it.
The most obvious change was the name of the institution itself.
During Sarutobi Hiruzen's administration, the institution had always been called the Ninja Academy. Its name had remained unchanged for years, just like the traditional system of education it followed.
After Namikaze Mirai's reforms, however, the Ninja Academy had been renamed Konoha First Elementary School. In addition to the elementary school, a new institution called Konoha Middle School had also been established.
Elementary school education lasted six years, the same as the former Ninja Academy's curriculum, while middle school lasted another three years, bringing the total period of compulsory education to nine years.
Because the educational period had been extended by three years, the children entering school this year were younger than those in previous intakes.
Naturally, such a change had provoked considerable controversy.
Nine years of education seemed unnecessarily long in the eyes of some high-ranking officials.
After all, the Ninja Academy existed to train ninja, and a qualified genin hardly needed such an extended period of schooling.
Talented students frequently graduated one or two years ahead of schedule, while Kakashi had been an exceptional genius who graduated in just one year.
From their perspective, nine years of education were completely unnecessary.
Nevertheless, under Mirai's firm insistence, educational reforms were vigorously implemented throughout Konoha. This year's incoming students would become the first generation to undergo nine years of compulsory education.
Early that morning, the entrance of Konoha First Elementary School was already surrounded by a large crowd of children and their parents. The air was filled with incessant chatter as everyone discussed the upcoming ceremony.
They were all eager to see what Konoha school would be like after the educational reforms.
"I heard the education period was extended to nine years because several new courses have been added."
"Yes, I heard that the school has introduced things like mental health classes and other subjects we've never even heard of before!"
"Hokage-sama must have a deeper reason for making these changes!"
The number of students enrolling this year was considerably higher than usual.
There were two main reasons for this.
First, Konoha's population had grown rapidly during this period. Furthermore, the village had accepted a large number of ninjas from outside its borders after they passed the necessary inspections. Consequently, the number of school-age children had increased significantly compared with previous years.
Second, Mirai had relaxed Konoha school's enrollment policies, giving many school-age children who previously would have been unable to enroll the opportunity to receive an education.
As Mirai had put it:
Every child in Konoha should have access to education.
Under this policy, the enrollment ceremony at the academy had become considerably grander than in the past.
"Naruto!"
A sudden exclamation rang out from the crowd gathered outside the school gate, drawing the attention of the surrounding parents.
A handsome little boy was riding on the shoulders of a young man, dramatically pointing his finger at someone in the crowd. The blond boy he was pointing at immediately pointed his finger back at him.
"Sasuke!"
Their gazes collided, and it seemed as though invisible electric arcs were intertwining and crackling between them.
Itachi, who was carrying Sasuke on his shoulders, noticed the strange looks coming from the surrounding villagers and could only smile bitterly to himself.
'Sasuke, I really shouldn't have accompanied you to the entrance ceremony.'
He had originally intended to fulfill his responsibilities as a good older brother by accompanying Sasuke on this important day of his life. Now, however, he was beginning to regret that decision.
This was truly embarrassing.
He should have let father accompany Sasuke to school instead.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, the exclamations of the surrounding villagers reached his ears.
"It's Naruto! Fourth Hokage-sama's son! My goodness, look how much he's grown!"
"He's so cute!"
"Hey! What are you swooning over?! Naruto is still a child!"
"As expected of the Fourth Hokage's son and the Fifth Hokage's nephew! He's inherited the excellent genes of both of them. He's already this handsome. Just imagine what he'll look like when he grows up!"
Such voices became increasingly numerous, and the entrance ceremony following the educational reforms was gradually turning into a competition to see who could praise Naruto the most.
The compliments covered everything, from his appearance to his talent, his golden hair, and even the outfit he was wearing that day.
Some people even praised the Fifth Hokage's excellent upbringing, claiming that he had managed to teach Naruto to possess such impeccable taste at such a young age.
Surrounded by praise and flattery, Naruto experienced firsthand just how important it was to have a powerful uncle.
Before his uncle returned to Konoha, the villagers had treated him with indifference.
After his uncle returned, however, his status had changed overnight.
He was now the Fourth Hokage's son, the Fifth Hokage's nephew, and Konoha's very own Crown Prince!
The children of other villagers looked at Naruto, who was being showered with attention, their eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Who told Naruto to have such a good uncle?
His uncle was the Fifth Hokage of Konoha! The founder of Konoha's new era, the founder of the Fire Republic, and the creator of the ninja world's new system.
Any one of those titles was enough to frighten countless people.
Moreover, Naruto's father had also been a Hokage. He was the Fourth Hokage, the hero who had saved the village at the cost of his own life.
Even the naughtiest children had been repeatedly warned by their parents before entering school not to provoke Naruto. If possible, they should even try to befriend him.
His backing was simply too powerful.
It was completely beyond the reach of ordinary villagers.
If their own children could establish a good relationship with Naruto, their futures would practically be guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Hinata, who was holding her father Hyuga Hiashi's hand and timidly leaning against him, watched Naruto with her pure white Byakugan, her eyes filled with curiosity.
'Is Naruto-kun really that amazing?'
She felt that the Naruto being praised by the villagers and the Naruto she remembered hardly seemed like the same person.
Hiashi smiled faintly.
As someone who had personally witnessed Naruto's transformation from the universally despised "demon fox" into the Fifth Hokage's beloved nephew, he had seen the changes with his own eyes.
If Mirai hadn't returned to the village, would Naruto still be the detested demon fox he had once been?
"Damn it! Arrogant Naruto!"
Hearing the endless stream of praise directed at Naruto, Sasuke gritted his teeth in frustration.
'Arrogant! Naruto is so arrogant!'
'Just because he has a powerful uncle, does he really need to show off so much?'
"Hmph! My dad is the head of the Uchiha Clan, and our Uchiha Clan is the strongest family in Konoha!"
Unwilling to be outdone, Sasuke puffed out his chest while riding on Itachi's shoulders, adopting an extremely arrogant expression.
Sensing that his status was being challenged, Naruto immediately launched a counterattack.
"My uncle is the Hokage! My dad was also the Hokage! I'm going to be the Sixth Hokage in the future! My whole family is made up of Hokage! What do you have to compete with me, Sasuke?!"
"Our Uchiha Peacekeeping Force is the organization responsible for maintaining peace throughout the ninja world! We're respected by the entire ninja world!"
Sasuke refused to back down.
After all, his brother had told him about the Uchiha Peacekeeping Force!
Itachi felt a headache coming on.
'How can Sasuke say something like that so confidently?'
Shisui was currently away on a peacekeeping mission, and he occasionally sent messages back to Konoha. Through those communications, Itachi could feel the joy Shisui had found after discovering his purpose and faith.
Meanwhile, the two children continued their argument, refusing to yield even an inch as they competed to see whose background was more impressive in front of Konoha Academy.
One astonishing claim after another emerged from their mouths, leaving the surrounding onlookers nervously swallowing their saliva as they listened to the increasingly outrageous boasts.
The backgrounds of these two children were simply too terrifying.
"They really are energetic kids."
Around the corner, away from the noisy school gate, a figure leaned against the wall with one hand in his pocket and a Make-Out Paradise novel in the other. As he read, his gaze occasionally drifted toward the two children arguing at the entrance.
'How troublesome.'
'Truly troublesome.'
He might have to become the guiding teacher for these two children in the future. Just thinking about it gave him a headache.
Kakashi felt a headache coming on whenever he considered the astonishing backgrounds of these two children and their unruly personalities.
His days of leisurely reading Make-Out Paradise were numbered. He had to make the most of this precious free time while he still could.
"Kakashi, so you're here?"
A sudden female voice came from behind him.
Kakashi, who had been preparing to immerse himself in his beloved literary masterpiece, froze instantly.
He secretly moved his hand, attempting to tuck the book into his clothes. It would be better if that person didn't discover such a wonderful work in his possession.
Whoosh!
A cold breeze swept past him, and the Make-Out Paradise novel he had been trying to hide was snatched away.
Looking at the familiar name on the title page and the indecent content within, Tsunade's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Is this Jiraiya's new book? That scoundrel! Every time he claims he's going off to find inspiration, who knows which bathhouse he's visiting to write this sort of rubbish?"
His cherished masterpiece had been confiscated and criticized, yet Kakashi didn't dare to argue.
The reason was simple.
The person standing before him was Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin.
Even Jiraiya, the author of Make-Out Paradise, could do little more than endure a beating whenever he found himself in front of her.
"You should read less of this trash. If I ever see that scoundrel Jiraiya, I'll definitely give him a good beating! How could he write such a harmful book that corrupts Konoha's young leaves?"
With that, Tsunade tossed the book back to Kakashi.
Kakashi awkwardly caught it and hurriedly tucked it into his clothes.
"By the way, Kakashi, has your eye healed?"
Tsunade noticed that Kakashi's left eye had recovered. It was no longer covered by his forehead protector and now appeared almost identical to an ordinary eye.
"Yes. I had the Hokage-sama's bionic prosthetic eye transplanted. It's no different from a normal eye, and it even has several new abilities."
"Bionic prosthetic eye?"
What a strange name.
Tsunade examined Kakashi's eyes more closely and discovered that there were indeed some extremely subtle differences between them. If she hadn't looked carefully, she might not have noticed anything unusual at all.
"Has the Research Department's technology really advanced to this stage? That's surprising. I wonder how Orochimaru managed it."
The Research Department was managed by Orochimaru, while Tsunade was responsible for the Medical Department. As a result, she wasn't particularly familiar with the Research Department's latest achievements.
"Don't talk about people behind their backs so casually, Tsunade."
A slightly hoarse, magnetic voice suddenly came from behind them.
Upon hearing that unmistakable voice, Kakashi's expression stiffened once again.
'No way!'
'All I wanted was to find a quiet place to enjoy a classic work of literature. Why are Konoha's big shots appearing one after another?'
'Can't I enjoy my Make-Out Paradise in peace?'
"Orochimaru, you actually have time to come here?"
Tsunade looked at the suddenly appearing Orochimaru with some surprise.
She rarely encountered Orochimaru during an ordinary day, yet today he had actually come here of his own accord. It was truly a rare sight.
"The Research Department must be extremely busy, right?"
"No matter how busy I am, I still have to come and observe. This is the first time Konoha has recruited students following the educational reforms. On such an important day, Tsunade, aren't you here for the same reason?"
"Yes. Today is indeed a special day."
Tsunade suddenly felt a surge of emotion.
As the day marking the implementation of Konoha's educational reforms and the first student intake under the new system, this occasion carried the hopes of far too many people.
As members of the legendary Sannin, they had all gathered here because of this special day.
At the entrance of Konoha Academy, Naruto and Sasuke's argument had still not ended. Instead, another round had already begun.
"My uncle can punch a tailed beast flying! Even the Nine-Tails inside my belly can testify to that!"
Inside the sealed space, the Nine-Tails felt its fur stand on end.
'Damn it, that brat!'
"My brother can throw dozens of shuriken at once!"
"My uncle can crush mountains with his bare hands!"
"My brother! My brother..."
Sasuke racked his brains, desperately searching for another boast that could help him avoid losing to Naruto.
"That's enough, Sasuke."
Itachi covered Sasuke's mouth.
If he allowed his younger brother to continue, who knew what else he might say?
"It seems you're all having a wonderful time."
A sudden voice rang out, like a spark igniting the atmosphere and bringing the excitement to its peak.
"That voice is..."
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.
The moment they recognized the approaching figure, deafening exclamations erupted from the crowd.
"Hokage-sama! It's Hokage-sama!"
"Hokage-sama is here!"
The person walking toward them was none other than Namikaze Mirai, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.
"Uncle!"
Naruto immediately rushed forward and threw himself into Mirai's arms. Even as he snuggled against his uncle, he didn't forget to glance in Sasuke's direction, making the latter grit his teeth in frustration.
"Sensei."
Itachi respectfully bowed to Mirai.
"You're having quite a lot of fun, aren't you?"
Cold sweat immediately trickled down Itachi's forehead.
He hurriedly explained, "Sensei, Sasuke is still young and doesn't know any better. Please..."
"That's what makes them lively. I am very happy to see Naruto and Sasuke enjoy each other's company so much."
Mirai smiled and ruffled Naruto's golden hair.
Itachi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
With the Hokage's personal arrival, the entrance ceremony was about to begin.
The surrounding villagers watched with burning anticipation.
Mirai walked forward at a leisurely pace, and the villagers standing in his path immediately moved aside to make way for him. Under the hopeful gazes of the crowd, he eventually arrived at the school gate.
His azure eyes slowly swept across the gathered people.
The bustling crowd immediately fell silent.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for him to speak.
"Everyone, we are living in the best time possible. You are standing at the turning point of an era."
"You have a brand-new future ahead of you. Your future is Konoha's future, and it is also the future of the entire ninja world."
"No go!"
"Go create! Go strive! Go… and seize the future!"
The passion that had accumulated in everyone's chests seemed to boil over.
Whether they were the students about to begin their education or the parents standing beside them, flames of excitement seemed to burn within their eyes.
"Youth! Oh, youth! Lee, this is the passionate spirit of youth!"
Might Guy, dressed in a green jumpsuit and sporting his familiar bowl cut, was so moved that tears streamed down his face. He embraced a boy who was wearing a slightly smaller green jumpsuit.
"Guy-sensei! I can feel it! The youth radiating from Hokage-sama! It's so moving! So incredibly moving!"
Uzumaki Karin, who was holding her mother's hand, felt her heart pounding.
As someone who had been brought back to Konoha by the Peacekeeping Force and was about to enroll in school, she felt as though an entirely new life was unfolding before her.
Nara Shikamaru, Aburame Shino, Hyuga Neji, and the other members of the new generation of Konoha's Twelve Rookies were likewise filled with anticipation for the future.
Standing beside the wall with her arms crossed, Tsunade watched Mirai, who was surrounded by the villagers, and pouted slightly.
"That's truly Mirai-kun's style."
He could effortlessly show off and drive everyone into a frenzy, all while maintaining such composure. Only Mirai could pull it off so naturally.
Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils held a faint smile as he watched the blond figure addressing the crowd.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Mirai turned his head in their direction.
Their eyes met, and the two exchanged smiles.
'Mirai-kun, my decision to return to the village was indeed the right one.'
'It is my honour to witness the birth of such an era!'
*****
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I am working on the following projects:
✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Calamity of Amegakure